Carlin’s Battery reenactors ask for funding help

Civil War group entering fifth year

January 16, 2013

PARKERSBURG - Carlin's Battery, a Civil War reenactors group created by the Wood County Commission, will celebrate its fifth year of service in 2013.

"We had a total of 26 events we participated in this past year representing the county. Next year we are adding a venue in Wirt County. They are enhancing their Pioneer Days with a Civil War reenactment and we will be helping them out. We always talk about history and Fort Boreman Park wherever we go, and I think that's what the county intended when the group was created back in 2008," said Jim Miracle, who serves as captain of the unit.

"We have been able to raise some funds on our own. Last year you helped us out with covering the expenses for powder and primer for the cannon. Our unit is completely volunteer, no one is paid. We wanted to ask again this year for your help with the powder costs. We need about $1,300. We should be able to cover the other expenses ourselves," Miracle said.

Article Photos

Photo providedCarlin’s Battery was created in 2008 by the Wood County Commission. The Civil War reenactors participate in area fairs, festivals, battle reenactments and educational presentations. The headquarters for the unit is at Fort Boreman Hill Park. Front row includes unit members Dave Bogonivich, Larry Stevens, Pat Delaney, Justin Spohn, Jim Miracle and Pat Lyons. On the limber are Chad Spohn and Alan Page.

The group obtained a Civil War-era limber for the cannon this past year. A limber is a two-wheeled carriage used to carry the ammunition chest for the cannon.

"It's great to have such a colorful organization in the community," said commission President Wayne Dunn.

The commissioners did not act on the funding request, but asked Miracle to provide a written request and said they would consider it at budget time this spring.

Fact Box

In Addition

* Anyone interested in having a speaker from Carlin's Battery, having the unit at an event to conduct an educational workshop or in becoming a member of the Civil War reenactors can call Jim Miracle at 304-488-2307.

* More information is available at the unit's website: www.carlinsbatteryd.org.

Miracle said the unit has 13 members and is always looking for new members.

Carlin's Battery uses a cabin reconstructed of logs from the 200-year-old Moore cabin formerly located on New England Ridge in Lubeck District as its headquarters. The cabin was relocated from the Lubeck area and reconstructed on Fort Boreman Hill Historic Park.

The Civil War artillery company, which was named after one originally stationed on Fort Boreman Hill, was created in 2008 by the Wood County Commission. Union troops with the 11th West Virginia Infantry manned Fort Boreman Hill during the Civil War. The hill is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

The unit was featured on the cover of the 2011 Convention and Visitors Bureau's guide and in a documentary on local Civil War history.

The unit's tentative schedule for 2013 includes Feb. 21, West Virginia History Day in Charleston; April 13-14, Peddlers Village, Pa. for Civil War Days; April 20 the group will be attending additional training/recertification on the cannon at Jackson's Mill; May 17-19, Battle of New Market, W.Va.; June 22-23, West Virginia birthday celebration at Fort Boreman; July 4-7, 150th Gettysburg Battle reenactment; July 12-14, McConnellsville Civil War Days; Aug. 17, Parkersburg Homecoming parade; Sept. 7-8, Zoar, Ohio, Battle of Chickamauga reenactment for Civil War Days; Sept. 28-30, setup and firing demonstrations at Barlow Fair; Oct. 12-13, Wirt County Civil War days; Oct. 19-21, St. Marys Blue and Gray Days with Kanawha Artillery; Nov. 10, displays, cannon firing at Veteran's Day picnic; Nov. 11, Parkersburg Veteran's Day parade, open house at cabin; Dec. 23, annual Christmas at the Cabin, Fort Boreman Park.

Anyone interested in having a speaker, the unit at an event, an educational workshop, or in becoming a member of the unit, call Miracle at 304-488-2307.